Provided is a self-cleaning method for a filter assembly of a washing machine, the method comprising: receiving a user operation instruction for starting a self-cleaning process; executing the self-cleaning process, so as to clean the filter assembly of the washing machine, and before the self-cleaning process is completed, only receiving user operation instructions for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process, and prohibiting receipt of or ignoring the user operation instructions other than user operation instructions for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process. According to the present invention, during cleaning of the filter assembly, the self-cleaning process of the washing machine prohibits receipt of or ignores user operation instructions other than user operation instructions for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process, so that the filter assembly of the washing machine is thoroughly cleaned, prolonging the service life of the filter assembly in the washing machine and ensuring that the filter assembly always has a high filtration flux.